You can only post replies to topics already posted in this forum. You can not start new topics. If you would like to discuss a character which doesn't already have their own topic please start the new topic in the Houseboat forum and we will move it to this forum for you.
MacGyver's grandfather became a father-figure to MacGyver after his father and
grandmother were killed in a car accident December 14, 1962 (see the episode "Phoenix
Under Siege"). Harry taught the young MacGyver much about life, including the value
of fair play (see "Harry's Will").
Seven years after the death of MacGyver’s father Harry left the MacGyver household
without saying goodbye. He took a job in Alaska, sending regular payments back to
MacGyver’s mother, thinking a steady income would be more beneficial than having him
around the house.
Another sixteen years passed before he and MacGyver reconciled, and Harry would show up
in town occasionally for holidays and Mac's birthday. In the fifth-season episode
"Passages," he shared one final adventure with his grandson before succumbing to
complications from a heart attack.
Posts: 1,170
Joined: 1 Jun 2008
Gender: Female
Country: United States
SAK owned: Unsure:red
Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:The Widowmaker
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black leather
House: House boat
Harry is one of my top three favorite recurring characters. I have seen John Anderson in quite a few other roles-including a car salesman in Psycho, and guest starring roles on TV, such as playing a recluse on Little House on the Prairie. Just amazing character actor.
Harry as a character is amazing for several reasons one being the actor, two being the impact Harry has on Mac's life.
Favorite Harry moments which number many: Target MacGyver--Mac calls Harry "still as mean as a dirty boot" that whole scene where Mac tries to talk to Harry Phoenix Under Seige--if I had to pick one--maybe the scene where Harry confesses the senior moment where he couldn't find his way back to his own barn the month before Friends--the advice scene, and the part where Mac quotes Harry before blowing out the candles on the cake Passages--Mac saying goodbye to Harry "Goodbye Grandpa",also where as Harry is passing out from the heart attack he clutches Mac's picture Harry's Will--the ice scene in Mac's childhood
I vote excellent for this character--incredible
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Posts: 1,889
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Gender: Female
Country: USA
SAK owned:
Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:Passages
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black leather
House: House boat
He is a believable character with his faults and foibles, and despite his mistakes, he seems to be a steadying presence in MacGyver's life, being a moral compass and a source of wisdom.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer."
Posts: 1,170
Joined: 1 Jun 2008
Gender: Female
Country: United States
SAK owned: Unsure:red
Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:The Widowmaker
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black leather
House: House boat
I watched that (Passages) last night. So I understand. As for Harry being gruff, I think he reminds all of us at times of someone we know. For me personally, my dad was really gruff at times, so I identified with that.
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Posts: 1,889
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Gender: Female
Country: USA
SAK owned:
Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:Passages
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black leather
House: House boat
Exactly--he's a very human, and therefore realistic, character. He reminds me of relatives of mine as well. There's a familiarity that makes me feel comfortable and accepting of his character.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer."
Posts: 248
Joined: 26 May 2008
Gender: Female
Country: East Texas
SAK owned:
Favorites
Season: season 7
Episode:The Stringer
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black/Navy flight
House: Second Loft
I do not think there is one episode of Harry Jackson the I could pin point as my faverite.I loved them all.I liked Harry being in MacGyer. Harry added something special to the show . the actor was real.I love actors who can pull off realness.Even RDA can do that.He said in an interview one time the his strongest ability as an actor was that he listen to what was being said in a scene with the outher actors.I think John Anderson was the same way. So when you see Mac and Harry acting togather you can tell they both listened instead of waiting for each outher to finish there lines.
Walk in Love,Walk in service,and you will walk in honor. My beloved son Angus.
Posts: 1,889
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Gender: Female
Country: USA
SAK owned:
Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:Passages
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black leather
House: House boat
Absolutely. The dialogue is much more realistic and authentic when an actor listens instead of simply waiting for the other actor to finish his lines. It's much less mechanical and flows more smoothly that way.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer."
Passages is the one episode that I cry from begining to end. How many people would love to say good bye to people who have passed on that we love. Harry made Mac who he was. A tough but caring man. In a topsy turvy world. So to MacGyver and Harry Jackson. I say thank you and God bless you.
I loved Harry he was exactly like my grand father. Passages was the best and saddest one with Harry. I wonder, are they related in real life (Harry and RDA)?
You all know that I'm a nurse with experience with the elderly, and my favorites are the one that are gruff. Because under all that gruffness is experience and love. I know I'm the biggest sap in the world.
Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:"The Heist"
Vehicle: Motorcycle
Jacket: Leather Biker
House: House boat
QUOTE (SMeeceymouse @ 16 December 2008 - 06:19 AM)
Passages is the one episode that I cry from begining to end. How many people would love to say good bye to people who have passed on that we love. Harry made Mac who he was. A tough but caring man. In a topsy turvy world. So to MacGyver and Harry Jackson. I say thank you and God bless you.
Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:Passages, Nightmares
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Brown bomber
House: House boat
I love Harry. He reminds me of my dad a lot of times and he's how I picture my grandpa, had I been able to have met him. Sadly, both he and my grandma (on my dad's side) passed away before I was born. But, yeah, I really enjoy the character of Harry.
"Our principles are the springs of our actions. Our actions, the springs of our happiness or misery. Too much care, therefore, cannot be taken in forming our principles." -Red Skelton
"You can't live in the past - there's a future to be had!"
Posts: 904
Joined: 6 May 2010
Gender: Male
Country: CO
SAK owned: Spartan
Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode: . . . Holy Rose
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Brown bomber
House: House boat
I always loved the character Harry.
As far as my favorite Harry episode? I'd have to say all of them, as there was something in each that struck a cord with me.
In "Phoenix Under Siege" after Mac has dis-armed the bomb and Harry takes the second ticket out of Mac's pocket then hurry's out the door to catch what's left of the game, leaving Mac behind, it cracks me up.
In "Harry's Will" when Harry calls young MacGyver out on his tripping of the other hockey player and says, "You're no winner bud" it gives me pause. For a grandpa to employ tough love like that, to be able to say that to his grandson, in order to teach him a lesson, is powerful.
With regard to "Passages" it just occurred to me, the similarities between Mac saying, "Goodbye Grandpa" after having only ever called him Harry and Henry Jones Sr. saying, "Indiana. Indiana. Let it go." after having made fun of him and refusing to call him Indiana and instead always calling him Jr.
"Jeep. My Jeep? What are you talking about? Penny! My Jeep?" - MacGyver
"Look at me. I'm a hurtin' guy! I'm beat up. I need a month's worth of sleep . . . and I need a haircut!" - MacGyver
"It's been said, 'The best gift a man could ever give another, was his life', Jack Dalton was never one to settle for less than the best. Thank you Jack." - MacGyver
"Reboots are born out of the lack of imagination." M. Lance Frank
I love Harry's character. Makes me wish I'd had a grandpa like Harry. It's a pity he appeared in so few episodes. And I love it how much Mac appreciates him always remembering what grandpa Harry taught him and how clear it is they love eacothers. I think Harry really made MacGyver the person he is, being a tough role model to young Mac and also showing him that all people make mistakes and with all those lessons he gave Mac. My favorite Harry episode... well I love them all but probably.. I'd say Target MacGyver. The troubled relationship Mac and Harry had in this episode reminds me about the troubled relationship I had with my late grandfather but with alternative ending: actually having a possibility to forgive one another and fix their relationship before the grandfather passed away. Makes me wonder what would I have said to my grandfather if I'd met him one last time. For me Harry is like an example of loving grandparent I always wished for and never had and it's so great to see those episodes Harry's in and imagine how it would feel like to have one
I snapped the following picture last year of an older fellow heading into the back country for a little trout fishing. Looked just like Harry to me .... in fact, I wouldn't have been at all surprised if a younger fellow in a Calgary Flames hat jumped into the scene and joined him ......
Attached Image
The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.
Whether you think you can or you can't .... you're probably right!
"Nature often addressed our problems much better than the doctor." - Henry Miller
"So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless and don't be sorry." - Jack Kerouac
"No one is remembered for being normal" -- Albert Einstein
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)